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Our Staff

Meet Our Staff

Welcome to Strong Mind Mental Health, where compassionate care meets unwavering expertise. Founded by Melisa DeMahy and Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez, our mission is to provide exceptional mental health therapy services to the diverse communities of Florida, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

With a shared commitment to empowering individuals on their journey to wellness, our staff brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the field. As licensed therapists, they have honed their skills to create a nurturing space where every client’s unique story is valued and understood. In addition to virtual therapy services, select members of our team offer in-person therapy sessions in South Florida, providing flexible care options to meet your needs.
 

At Strong Mind Mental Health, we believe in the transformative power of therapy and are dedicated to guiding you toward a path of strength, resilience, and lasting well-being.

Melisa DeMahy
‍10 Years of Experience

Co-Founder | Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Supervisor, and Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional with years of experience in relationship and intimacy-focused therapy. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and steer away from stigmatizing labels. I believe in open communication, empathetic listening and making therapy a judgement free zone. I love to empower and provide the tools you need to succeed and create a satisfying life. By placing special importance on being creative and fun when working with my younger clients I ensure both your child as well as your entire family have a positive experience of growth. I have over eight years of experience in working with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, parenting conflicts, career and life changes, physical and emotional trauma, ADHD and aggression. My approach to therapy combines different treatment modalities; cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, compassion focused therapy and cognitive therapy. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor dedicated to working with children, adolescents, and adults. I pride myself in creating a supportive and caring environment where my patients could feel understood and at ease. I believe that every person has the ability to be a healthier version of themselves and I feel honored to help you on your journey. Specialties ADHD Anger Management Anxiety Behavioral Issues Career Counseling Codependency Couples Counseling Coping Skills Depression Divorce Family Conflict Grief Infertility Infidelity Lesbian LGBTQ+ Marital and Premarital Mood Disorders Relationship Issues Self Esteem Transgender Trauma Weight Loss Women's Issues

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Karla Paz
Clinical Social Worker
5 Years of Experience

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with years of experience supporting individuals through a range of mental health and life challenges. I believe that everyone has the capacity for growth and change. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, my role is to guide you through life’s challenges, whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or major life transitions. I’m here to empower you with the tools and strategies needed to enhance your well-being and resilience.I draw from a variety of therapeutic approaches, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Psychoeducation. These modalities allow me to tailor our sessions to best fit your needs, whether we are focusing on building coping skills, changing unhelpful thought patterns, or setting and achieving practical goals. I value the importance of a collaborative relationship, and together, we’ll explore your experiences, build on your strengths, and work toward a more fulfilling life. Specialties Anxiety Depression Coping Skills Anger Management Bisexual Body Positivity Chronic Illness Geriatric Seniors LGBTQ+ Life Transitions Peer Relationships Relationship Issues Self Esteem Self-Harming Stress Weight Loss

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Andrea Muchmore
Counselor

5 Years of Experience

Licensed Mental Health Counselor with years of experience providing compassionate, client-centered care. Andrea Muchmore is a licensed therapist in Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina who specializes in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and eating disorders, including body-focused repetitive behaviors such as trichotillomania and excoriation disorder. With over seven years of clinical experience, Andrea helps clients break free from rigid thought patterns, compulsive behaviors, and the cycle of shame that often accompanies these concerns. Andrea uses evidence-based treatments including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to support meaningful, sustainable change. Her approach is structured yet compassionate, focused on helping clients build emotional flexibility, confidence, and a healthier relationship with themselves. Andrea also works with anxiety, stress, addiction, and relationship concerns, and is known for creating a supportive, nonjudgmental space where clients feel empowered to take actionable steps toward recovery and long-term well-being. Specialties ADD/ADHD Anger Management Anxiety Bipolar Disorder Chronic Conditions Depression Eating Disorders End of Life Care Family Issues Grief Identity Issues LGBTQIA+ OCD Panic Disorders PTSD Relationship Issues Stress Management Substance Use / Addiction Trauma Transgender Issues Women’s Issues

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Courtnie Vargas-Rodriguez
10 Years of Experience

Co-Founder | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Qualified Supervisor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (Level 1) bringing years of experience in trauma-informed care and relationship-focused therapy. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in trauma-informed, somatic-integrated therapy and couples work. I support individuals and couples who feel stuck in anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or painful relationship patterns. My approach is rooted in the understanding that trauma lives in both the mind and the body. I integrate somatic and attachment-focused therapy to help clients build nervous system regulation, process past experiences, and create healthier emotional and relational patterns. I am especially passionate about couples therapy and working with how individual trauma impacts relationships, communication, and connection. My style is collaborative, grounded, and compassionate, with a strong focus on emotional safety and sustainable change. I have over ten years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, and I also serve as a Qualified Supervisor. I strive to create a space where clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to reconnect with themselves and their relationships. Specialties Anxiety Depression Relationship Issues Anger Management Coping Skills Family Conflict LGBTQ+ Parenting Peer Relationships School Issues Self Esteem Self-Harming Stress Suicidal Ideation Trauma and PTSD

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Grecia Smith
Health Counselor

2 Years of Experience

Licensed Mental Health Counselor licensed in Florida and Colorado, bringing years of experience in clinical care. I primarily offer individual therapy, helping client's identify and modify maladaptive patterns that contribute to feelings of distress. These may include negative thought patterns that influence mood and behavior, difficulty controlling excessive worrying, experiencing unhealthy emotions and behaviors associated with trauma, and difficulties adjusting to different life stressors. I view therapy as the process of developing a deeper level of awareness that leads to better understanding of oneself, personal growth, and motivation to strive for healthy changes. I use Cognitive Behavioral (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy, and also take an integrative approach that involves tailoring treatment to the individual by drawing on different techniques as needed and adapting techniques to the individual’s needs and goals. Thus, meeting the client where they are.By asking for help, you are taking a positive step towards a more well-balanced and meaningful life. You will develop a deeper level of self-awareness and learn valuable skills that can have long-lasting benefits. When you feel ready, reach out! Specialties Depression Anxiety Trauma and PTSD Adjustment Disorders Bipolar Disorder Coping Skills Domestic Violence Dual Diagnosis Grief Life Transitions Mood Disorders Peer Relationships Self Esteem Self-Harming Stress Suicidal Ideation

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Maylin Gonzalez
Health Counselor
8 Years of Experience

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Qualified Supervisor, and Infant Mental Health Endorsed (IMH-E®) with years of experience supporting individuals, families, and young children. I’m Maylin Gonzalez, LMHC-QS, IMH-E®, a therapist specializing in women’s mental health across life’s many transitions. My work centers on the emotional and relational shifts that accompany pre- and postpartum experiences, changes in intimacy before and after children, evolving identity, and the realities of parenting. I offer a calm, supportive space where you can slow down, make sense of what you’re feeling, and reconnect with yourself—without judgment or pressure to “have it all figured out.” Therapy with me is collaborative and intentional, blending clinical insight with genuine compassion to help you move through change with greater clarity, steadiness, and self-trust. I especially enjoy working with individuals who are reflective, curious about their inner world, and open to growth. If you’re seeking a consistent, grounding therapeutic relationship where you can explore patterns, strengthen emotional resilience, and create meaningful, sustainable change, you don’t have to do that work alone. Specialties Anxiety Depression Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Anger Management Career Counseling Coping Skills Emotional Disturbance Family Conflict Life Coaching Life Transitions Parenting Peer Relationships Post Partum Relationship Issues Self Esteem Stress Trauma and PTSD

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Coraliz Myrtil Mental Health Counselor
9 Years of Experience

Licensed Mental Health Counselor with years of experience supporting individuals with a variety of mental health concerns. As a licensed mental health counselor, I value providing a non-judgmental therapeutic presence that is full of empathy, flexibility, empowerment and emotional guidance. I make sure to use a collaborative approach that works alongside with you to help identify your personal strengths and goals that pertain to your specific needs. I have a passion working with adults of any age and also have many years of experience working with college students and the geriatric population. Some of my specialties include but are not limited to bereavement, trauma, anxiety, depression, stress management, self-esteem, relationships, terminal illness and chronic illness. With over a decade of working in the mental health field, I’ve had the opportunity to acquire experiences with people of many different backgrounds facing a wide variety of issues. I’ve received foundational training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and have also acquired experience with implementing different treatment modalities that include psychodynamic therapy, existential therapy, solution-focused therapy, person-centered therapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. Overall, I look forward to offering a safe space where we can sort through any difficult thoughts and feelings and get started with the process of personal growth and healing. Specialties Anxiety Depression Grief/Loss Aging Concerns Attachment Burnout Family Conflict Intergenerational Trauma Insomnia PTSD Racial Identity Self-Esteem Spirituality Women's Issues

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Elva Sanchez
Trauma Professional
8 Years of Experience

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Trauma Professional bringing years of experience helping clients navigate trauma and relational challenges. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a passion for helping clients create meaningful, lasting change in their lives. Born in Peru and raised in South Florida, I bring a unique multicultural perspective to my work. I blend evidence-based approaches with a compassionate, empowering style. I help clients identify their strengths, set achievable goals, and reclaim a sense of autonomy and self-worth. My work focuses on fostering self-awareness, emotional resilience, and positive change — guiding clients toward independence and self-sufficiency. I have extensive experience working with children, teens, and families, including those navigating Autism and other childhood diagnoses. I provide practical strategies and resources for parents to better support children with behavioral challenges. As a Certified Trauma Professional, I also specialize in supporting survivors of domestic abuse, hate crimes, and crisis situations, offering a safe and understanding space to process and heal. In my work with couples and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, I help clients strengthen communication, rebuild trust, and create healthy relationship patterns. Specialties Anxiety Autism Depression Trauma and PTSD Coping Skills Couples Counseling Family Conflict Parenting Peer Relationships Self Esteem

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Jasmine Luther, LMHC
2 Years of Experience

Licensed Mental Health Counselor licensed in Florida, specializing in improving relationships and communication. Jasmine helps clients move through breakups, relationship anxiety, and recurring communication conflict. She helps you identify attachment patterns, strengthen your emotional regulation skills, and helps you build strong bonds through assertive communication skills. Her approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in growth. Jasmine utilizes evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients better understand their emotions, develop effective coping strategies, and build more balanced, fulfilling lives. Jasmine focuses on creating a supportive and non-judgmental environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their experiences while also being encouraged to move toward their goals. She believes therapy should feel both validating and productive, helping clients not only process their emotions but also develop tools they can realistically apply in their everyday lives.

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Empowering Your Mental Health Journey—One Step at a Time

Compassionate, personalized therapy designed to help you heal, grow, and thrive.

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